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Chet and Bernie Mystery #16
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof
Join Chet the dog, "the most lovable narrator in all of fiction" (Boston Globe), and his human partner Bernie as they scramble to solve a case exposing the dark side of internet fame.
Chet the dog is less than enthusiastic about the Little Detective Agency’s next case. Chet and his human partner, PI Bernie Little, have been hired to find a missing person—only the missing person is a cat. Miss Kitty, an internet sensation, has disappeared, and Chet and Bernie have been hired to find her before her many followers realize something is wrong.
Miss Kitty belongs to Bitty, a sweet teenage girl who lives with her mom. Bitty and her mother are struggling financially, but the arrival of Miss Kitty and the chance discovery of her social media appeal has changed everything. Bitty now has sponsors, a high-powered agent, and all the tools needed to thrive online, and real money is flowing in. At least, it was. With Miss Kitty gone, the family's income is on the line.
The case presents a slew of challenges for Chet and Bernie. For one thing, a potential witness is a pig named Senor Piggy who may be in possession of an important piece of evidence. For another, it seems like a possible perp has been killed twice—and there's evidence implicating Bernie in the crime.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Chet the dog is less than enthusiastic about the Little Detective Agency’s next case. Chet and his human partner, PI Bernie Little, have been hired to find a missing person—only the missing person is a cat. Miss Kitty, an internet sensation, has disappeared, and Chet and Bernie have been hired to find her before her many followers realize something is wrong.
Miss Kitty belongs to Bitty, a sweet teenage girl who lives with her mom. Bitty and her mother are struggling financially, but the arrival of Miss Kitty and the chance discovery of her social media appeal has changed everything. Bitty now has sponsors, a high-powered agent, and all the tools needed to thrive online, and real money is flowing in. At least, it was. With Miss Kitty gone, the family's income is on the line.
The case presents a slew of challenges for Chet and Bernie. For one thing, a potential witness is a pig named Senor Piggy who may be in possession of an important piece of evidence. For another, it seems like a possible perp has been killed twice—and there's evidence implicating Bernie in the crime.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published April 14, 2026
181 people are currently reading
6755 people want to read
About the author
Spencer Quinn
44 books2,173 followersSpencer Quinn lives on Cape Cod with his dog Audrey, and is hard at work on the next Chet and Bernie adventure.
Spencer Quinn is a pseudonym of author Peter Abrahams.
Series:
* A Chet and Bernie Mystery
Spencer Quinn is a pseudonym of author Peter Abrahams.
Series:
* A Chet and Bernie Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
April 14, 2026
I love Chet and Bernie! When it comes to doggie detective duos, they are one of my all-time fave teams. Chet is hilarious and it’s never long before I am cracking up and, subsequently, getting kicked out of bed because my laughing is waking hubby up.
The book summary introduces the primary storyline of Chet and Bernie being hired to find a feline influencer, Miss Kitty, who has been kidnapped catnapped. Anyone who knows Chet knows that Chet is NOT a fan of cats ever since Chet flunked out of the K9 police academy; a cat was involved. There is also a secondary storyline of some trouble in paradise for Bernie’s ex-wife Leda and her hubby.
On par for the series, Chet and Bernie get themselves into some sketchy situations, that at times, results in some pretty funny and entertaining scenes. LOVE WEATHERLY!!! I am looking so forward to seeing more of her, now that she and Bernie are engaged to be married, Trixie too! Trixie is Weatherly’s fur baby, and it just so happens that Trixie looks just like Chet, like exactly like him, one white ear and one black ear, like they are probably twins or from the same litter.
Anyway, the continuing character development of Chet and Bernie is always endearing. I love how Bernie talks to Chet and how Chet totally gets Bernie. They are so in tuned with each other and absolutely adore each other. Mr Quinn, need more Weatherly, please!!! The pacing was steady to fast and definitely a quick read. The storylines were entertaining and the writing was classic Spencer Quinn. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.3 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #StmartinsPress #CatonaHotTinWoof
The book summary introduces the primary storyline of Chet and Bernie being hired to find a feline influencer, Miss Kitty, who has been kidnapped catnapped. Anyone who knows Chet knows that Chet is NOT a fan of cats ever since Chet flunked out of the K9 police academy; a cat was involved. There is also a secondary storyline of some trouble in paradise for Bernie’s ex-wife Leda and her hubby.
On par for the series, Chet and Bernie get themselves into some sketchy situations, that at times, results in some pretty funny and entertaining scenes. LOVE WEATHERLY!!! I am looking so forward to seeing more of her, now that she and Bernie are engaged to be married, Trixie too! Trixie is Weatherly’s fur baby, and it just so happens that Trixie looks just like Chet, like exactly like him, one white ear and one black ear, like they are probably twins or from the same litter.
Anyway, the continuing character development of Chet and Bernie is always endearing. I love how Bernie talks to Chet and how Chet totally gets Bernie. They are so in tuned with each other and absolutely adore each other. Mr Quinn, need more Weatherly, please!!! The pacing was steady to fast and definitely a quick read. The storylines were entertaining and the writing was classic Spencer Quinn. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.3 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #StmartinsPress #CatonaHotTinWoof
April 15, 2026
Detective Bernie and his dog, Chet, usually handle missing‑person cases, but this time they’re searching for a missing cat, Miss Kitty, a viral sensation who made her owner famous and wealthy. What starts as a simple case quickly turns into a much bigger mystery.
The story is told from Chet’s perspective, which adds a fun, humorous touch. We get to hear his thoughts and see how he’s helping with the investigation. Chet is loyal, entertaining, and completely devoted to Bernie; in his eyes, Bernie is the smartest and the best at everything. I enjoyed Bernie’s detective work, but Chet absolutely stole my heart.
Cozy‑mystery lovers will enjoy this one. It’s funny, charming, and full of intrigue.
The story is told from Chet’s perspective, which adds a fun, humorous touch. We get to hear his thoughts and see how he’s helping with the investigation. Chet is loyal, entertaining, and completely devoted to Bernie; in his eyes, Bernie is the smartest and the best at everything. I enjoyed Bernie’s detective work, but Chet absolutely stole my heart.
Cozy‑mystery lovers will enjoy this one. It’s funny, charming, and full of intrigue.
April 21, 2026
What’s not to love. A good “who done it” and a charming dog narrating all the action. I love the mind of Chet. He had a way of any remembering the important facts, letting the unnecessary disappear.
The story line is good, too, but it is always secondary. Spencer Quinn has done a masterful job, weaving a good story out of a missing cat.
The story line is good, too, but it is always secondary. Spencer Quinn has done a masterful job, weaving a good story out of a missing cat.
April 25, 2026
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn is a cozy mystery. The hook is that’s it’s narrated by dog named Chet. The PIs name is Bernie. I have read other books by Quinn so I decided to give this one a shot. It is not the first in the series, but the first one for me. I have read other cozies that feature animals and their thoughts, but this entire thing was narrated by a dog. Not for me. My nonsense level is apparently too low.
I was invited to read Cat on a Hot Tin Woof (great title!) by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #SpencerQuinn #CatOnAHotTinWoof
I was invited to read Cat on a Hot Tin Woof (great title!) by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #SpencerQuinn #CatOnAHotTinWoof
November 22, 2025
My first but certainly not my last in this clever series narrated by dog Chet, this time on the case with human P.I. Bernie Little as they set out to find a missing social media star, a cat named Miss Kitty. Charming and fun!
April 29, 2026
I love this series. Chet is a wonderful character and narrator. Very funny and heartwarming but also a good mystery pieced together from the dog’s point of view.
December 8, 2025
Chet’s quest to track down a cat made the latest Chet and Bernie book such a fun read.
November 19, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn. This Chet & Bernie Mystery is to be published on April 14, 2026.
This is the second novel this year that I’ve read that has been narrated by a dog. Chet, the dog, and his partner, Bernie Little, are on the case to find a kidnapped cat, Miss Kitty, who is a social media star. The challenges that Chet and Bernie face include a homicide potentially witnessed by a mud-frolicking pig and a whole cast of quirky characters. Some help the investigation. Others don’t.
This is the sixteenth book in the series and the first one that I have read. Being unaware that there were others in the series did not hinder the reading experience. It completely read as a stand alone. It was an interesting plot and was well written. It was at times quirky but that should be expected considering it was narrated by a dog.
This is the second novel this year that I’ve read that has been narrated by a dog. Chet, the dog, and his partner, Bernie Little, are on the case to find a kidnapped cat, Miss Kitty, who is a social media star. The challenges that Chet and Bernie face include a homicide potentially witnessed by a mud-frolicking pig and a whole cast of quirky characters. Some help the investigation. Others don’t.
This is the sixteenth book in the series and the first one that I have read. Being unaware that there were others in the series did not hinder the reading experience. It completely read as a stand alone. It was an interesting plot and was well written. It was at times quirky but that should be expected considering it was narrated by a dog.
April 14, 2026
Bernie Little is a private eye, and his partner is his best friend and intensely loyal dog Chet. The two have handled quite a few cases together, and although Chet can’t always remember the details about those cases after time has passed, he is never anything but attentive during the case. Unless there are treats or powerful distractions, of course. But Chet knows that Bernie is a genius and always on top of things. He’s the best.
Their latest case is a real pickle, however. They are looking into the disappearance of social media star and opinionated cat, Miss Kitty. Mother and daughter team, Evelyn and Beatrice “Bitty” Pond turned her Zen stares into a thriving business, which nets $75k a month (and rising!) thanks to numerous corporate sponsorships and millions of followers. That makes the cat a feasible target for kidnapping. Err. Catnapping.
Though Chet is hesitant to want to get involved—he’s a dog, after all, and has no interest in looking into anything to do with cats—Bernie takes the case, and they are off to the races.
However, what should be a simple cat napping investigation soon explodes into a far more complicated situation, involving a couple of corpses, a missing suspect, a pair of elderly, pistol packing cowgirls, rude bikers, a suspicious undersheriff, and other troublesome suspects. However, Bernie and Chet will wade through the suspect list as well as possible, thanks to grit, determination, know-how, and plenty of charm in Spencer Quinn’s comic detective novel, Cat on a Hot Tin Woof.
A writer working in third person has a challenging job of setting up the story, finding voices for the different characters, as well as hundreds of other details. Hemingway’s invisible prose is a default setting for many a writer, giving the narrative a more or less neutral quality and allowing individuals to shine through conversation, monologue, and occasional internal conversations. However, writing in first person adds extra layers of challenge because while the details get filtered through that perspective, the reader has to find the voice of that narrative all the more engaging. So, the book has to radiate a kind of personality we want to continue reading. This doesn’t mean we have to like the narrator, but we certainly have to find a quick investment in hanging around with that speaker for a few hundred pages.
That said, Spencer Quinn’s choice for the narrator of this series is pitch perfect and immediately engaging. Also, it’s a dog.
Chet talks to us, but he’s not some kind of supernatural beast. None of the human beings in the book can understand him, he’s just a clever dog. And the narration of the book presents him the same way. How are we hearing him? We are never quite sure. Has he written this book out on a typewriter/word processor/laptop ala Harold from the Bunnicula series or Howie from The House of Bunnicula series? Well, we’re never quite sure. We could simply be riding along in Chet’s conscious mind for all I know, but it doesn’t matter. The simple fact is: we hear his thoughts, his observations, his adoration of Bernie, and his good boy cleverness. That makes the reading experience all the more enjoyable, believe you me.
So much so, that I was wondering How is it that I’ve only just gotten into Chet and Bernie’s adventures with their sixteenth novel? There are fifteen more of these books that I have not yet read? I plan on rectifying that oversight soon.
This is the kind of series that is a hell of a lot of fun, quirky and endearing and beautifully written. Dog narrators are not necessarily a dime a dozen but a few have cropped up since loveable but often weary Harold narrated the James Howe’s beloved, middle grade Bunnicula books in the tail end of the last century, but Chet really is one of a kind, a beautifully realized narrator and a watershed character.
Chet is not a world-weary pooch, he’s not a dark stain upon the page, he is a very good, sometimes derpy, always endearing fella. A real good boy who loves his person, loves his work, loves his world. And through him, we get to share in those good vibes and good feels, even when the plot veers into darker regions of violence, greed, and murder. The positivity never flags because all of those negative elements are in the intrusive, antagonistic forces. Bernie is a complicated but good man, a former soldier turned private eye who uses his mouth to try to defuse situations but is no stranger to using his fists. And Chet is likewise … though he tends to used his jaws instead of his fists, but you get the idea.
The book is a chatty one, but not oppressively so. Chet is a talkative narrator, but he’s also a sweet one. And funny, too. Spencer Quinn’s dog-eye view of the world paints human foibles and flaws in a gentle light, but like the narrator when roused, it also has a powerful bite. When Quinn’s novel is at its best, it runs toe-to-toe with some of the greatest works by comic crime scribe Donald E. Westlake.
The mystery is a good one. The action and suspense are well composed. No surprise there. Spencer Quinn is a penname for Peter Abrahams, an Edgar-award winning mystery and suspense writer. The books are a delight however because of Chet’s voice, his doggishness, and the clever ways Quinn gets us into the headspace of an inhuman point of view.
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof is a riot of a read. Not necessarily a book that delivers belly laughs on every page, but a wise work, told with compelling language, a fascinating point of view, and with a deft sense for how to spin a crime and suspense yarn. There’s nothing gritty here. And you don’t have to be a card-carrying lover of the “four pawed nation within” to fall for the narrator, either. Though I am sure it helps. Midway through this book, I was already singing its praises to my wife and in-laws. Let me sing them to you, as well. What a wonderful read.
Their latest case is a real pickle, however. They are looking into the disappearance of social media star and opinionated cat, Miss Kitty. Mother and daughter team, Evelyn and Beatrice “Bitty” Pond turned her Zen stares into a thriving business, which nets $75k a month (and rising!) thanks to numerous corporate sponsorships and millions of followers. That makes the cat a feasible target for kidnapping. Err. Catnapping.
Though Chet is hesitant to want to get involved—he’s a dog, after all, and has no interest in looking into anything to do with cats—Bernie takes the case, and they are off to the races.
However, what should be a simple cat napping investigation soon explodes into a far more complicated situation, involving a couple of corpses, a missing suspect, a pair of elderly, pistol packing cowgirls, rude bikers, a suspicious undersheriff, and other troublesome suspects. However, Bernie and Chet will wade through the suspect list as well as possible, thanks to grit, determination, know-how, and plenty of charm in Spencer Quinn’s comic detective novel, Cat on a Hot Tin Woof.
A writer working in third person has a challenging job of setting up the story, finding voices for the different characters, as well as hundreds of other details. Hemingway’s invisible prose is a default setting for many a writer, giving the narrative a more or less neutral quality and allowing individuals to shine through conversation, monologue, and occasional internal conversations. However, writing in first person adds extra layers of challenge because while the details get filtered through that perspective, the reader has to find the voice of that narrative all the more engaging. So, the book has to radiate a kind of personality we want to continue reading. This doesn’t mean we have to like the narrator, but we certainly have to find a quick investment in hanging around with that speaker for a few hundred pages.
That said, Spencer Quinn’s choice for the narrator of this series is pitch perfect and immediately engaging. Also, it’s a dog.
Chet talks to us, but he’s not some kind of supernatural beast. None of the human beings in the book can understand him, he’s just a clever dog. And the narration of the book presents him the same way. How are we hearing him? We are never quite sure. Has he written this book out on a typewriter/word processor/laptop ala Harold from the Bunnicula series or Howie from The House of Bunnicula series? Well, we’re never quite sure. We could simply be riding along in Chet’s conscious mind for all I know, but it doesn’t matter. The simple fact is: we hear his thoughts, his observations, his adoration of Bernie, and his good boy cleverness. That makes the reading experience all the more enjoyable, believe you me.
So much so, that I was wondering How is it that I’ve only just gotten into Chet and Bernie’s adventures with their sixteenth novel? There are fifteen more of these books that I have not yet read? I plan on rectifying that oversight soon.
This is the kind of series that is a hell of a lot of fun, quirky and endearing and beautifully written. Dog narrators are not necessarily a dime a dozen but a few have cropped up since loveable but often weary Harold narrated the James Howe’s beloved, middle grade Bunnicula books in the tail end of the last century, but Chet really is one of a kind, a beautifully realized narrator and a watershed character.
Chet is not a world-weary pooch, he’s not a dark stain upon the page, he is a very good, sometimes derpy, always endearing fella. A real good boy who loves his person, loves his work, loves his world. And through him, we get to share in those good vibes and good feels, even when the plot veers into darker regions of violence, greed, and murder. The positivity never flags because all of those negative elements are in the intrusive, antagonistic forces. Bernie is a complicated but good man, a former soldier turned private eye who uses his mouth to try to defuse situations but is no stranger to using his fists. And Chet is likewise … though he tends to used his jaws instead of his fists, but you get the idea.
The book is a chatty one, but not oppressively so. Chet is a talkative narrator, but he’s also a sweet one. And funny, too. Spencer Quinn’s dog-eye view of the world paints human foibles and flaws in a gentle light, but like the narrator when roused, it also has a powerful bite. When Quinn’s novel is at its best, it runs toe-to-toe with some of the greatest works by comic crime scribe Donald E. Westlake.
The mystery is a good one. The action and suspense are well composed. No surprise there. Spencer Quinn is a penname for Peter Abrahams, an Edgar-award winning mystery and suspense writer. The books are a delight however because of Chet’s voice, his doggishness, and the clever ways Quinn gets us into the headspace of an inhuman point of view.
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof is a riot of a read. Not necessarily a book that delivers belly laughs on every page, but a wise work, told with compelling language, a fascinating point of view, and with a deft sense for how to spin a crime and suspense yarn. There’s nothing gritty here. And you don’t have to be a card-carrying lover of the “four pawed nation within” to fall for the narrator, either. Though I am sure it helps. Midway through this book, I was already singing its praises to my wife and in-laws. Let me sing them to you, as well. What a wonderful read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader. If you like this post, you might like others on that site. Consider checking it out!
---
Before I get into things...that title is great (not that Quinn's a stranger to good titles). I want to believe he wrote that title down some time ago and spent a couple of years thinking of a story to go with it.
WHAT'S CAT ON A HOT TIN WOOF ABOUT?
One of the best things about the Chet and Bernie books is the wide diversity in cases they investigate—sure, the Little Detective Agency specializes in missing persons cases—but they do it all. Well, almost all. The clients they have this time are something that Bernie isn't really ready for—and Chet would've been happier if they'd never run into them.
It's a mother-daughter pair—the daughter had accidentally launched herself (well, her cat) to Internet fame and a very respectable income for a high schooler (well, more than respectable). Her mother is her business manager. Their problem? Miss Kitty is missing. Their sponsors are coming in soon to sign a new deal, and her audience is clamoring for fresh content. So the clock is ticking.
Bernie understands very little of this, but signs on—and quickly learns that despite what his clients believed—the cat didn't slip out of the house somehow. She's been stolen.
Naturally, it doesn't stop with a stolen cat—more crimes turn up, as does an element of danger.
Bernie's ex-wife, Leda, has some drama of her own, for him to deal with, too. But Bernie's focus is on the case (although he takes time out for a fun scene to help Leda)
WHY DID I PICK THIS UP? WHY DID I KEEP READING?
That’s simple—while Quinn isn’t a stranger to less-impressive books, he’s incapable of writing an un-entertaining one—particularly with this series. And it’s been a while since he stumbled anyway.
Why did I keep at it? There is simply something infectious about Chet’s voice—as much as you want to figure out what happened—who kidnapped the cat and why, will they figure out the other mysteries along the way, will Bernie lose a lot of money doing something foolish, etc.—you want to stay in Chet’s head for longer than it’ll take to finish the book. This book is a textbook example of that.
WHAT DOES THIS BOOK TELL US ABOUT HUMANITY?
There’s a good deal here about the human propensity for making mistakes you’d regret later—if not sooner.
There’s a lot about good parenting and inadequate parenting/parents. There are a couple of good parents in this book (one came so late in the book, you’d almost despair of seeing another one ever again), and several inadequate ones. Most of those didn’t realize they were—but boy howdy, they should’ve.
What this book tells us most about humanity—and this is largely true for every Chet and Bernie book is the importance of a connection between a human and an animal. Even if it’s just a connection for a short-time. We’ve got cats, a pig, and a couple of dogs. The cats enrich (literally, in at least one case) the lives of those they stay with. Chet gets to comfort people going through rough times and gets to support Bernie. The pig? Well, it’s there. The cats and the dogs are just wonderful and will make you want your own (assuming you don’t already).
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT CAT ON A HOT TIN WOOF?
It's a Chet and Bernie book—of course, I had a good time.
I’d have liked a little more clarity on a point or two about the conclusion. But when your narrator is delightfully unreliable, that’s hard. I think about these cases in a way Chet wouldn’t bother with, so unless Bernie muses about some of the action, there’s just no way that we get the answers I want.
But you have to expect that going in, so it really doesn’t matter.
It’s been a minute since "old man Heydrich" was brought up (and I'm more than okay with that), and I think his replacement could be fun. We get some good Charlie and Leda stuff. Weatherly could’ve been in it more (but was used well). The client herself is the kind that you hope Quinn finds a way to bring back (as he does with another client here), and…well, it’s all just good.
It’s a fun mystery that will keep you smiling throughout—even when Chet solves the mystery (and doesn’t realize it)—maybe it’d be better to say that the reader solves it through Chet’s eyes—and you’re just sitting there waiting for Bernie to catch up. That’s frequently a frustrating experience when I’m that far ahead of the protagonist in a book—but here, it’s just fun.
If you've never met our intrepid pair of P.I.s, this would be a perfect book to jump into the series with—honestly, any of them would work, but you might as well start with this one. If you've been around the duo before, this is as good as you remember. Either way—check out Cat on a Hot Tin Woof.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post, which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader. If you like this post, you might like others on that site. Consider checking it out!
---
Before I get into things...that title is great (not that Quinn's a stranger to good titles). I want to believe he wrote that title down some time ago and spent a couple of years thinking of a story to go with it.
WHAT'S CAT ON A HOT TIN WOOF ABOUT?
One of the best things about the Chet and Bernie books is the wide diversity in cases they investigate—sure, the Little Detective Agency specializes in missing persons cases—but they do it all. Well, almost all. The clients they have this time are something that Bernie isn't really ready for—and Chet would've been happier if they'd never run into them.
It's a mother-daughter pair—the daughter had accidentally launched herself (well, her cat) to Internet fame and a very respectable income for a high schooler (well, more than respectable). Her mother is her business manager. Their problem? Miss Kitty is missing. Their sponsors are coming in soon to sign a new deal, and her audience is clamoring for fresh content. So the clock is ticking.
Bernie understands very little of this, but signs on—and quickly learns that despite what his clients believed—the cat didn't slip out of the house somehow. She's been stolen.
Naturally, it doesn't stop with a stolen cat—more crimes turn up, as does an element of danger.
Bernie's ex-wife, Leda, has some drama of her own, for him to deal with, too. But Bernie's focus is on the case (although he takes time out for a fun scene to help Leda)
WHY DID I PICK THIS UP? WHY DID I KEEP READING?
That’s simple—while Quinn isn’t a stranger to less-impressive books, he’s incapable of writing an un-entertaining one—particularly with this series. And it’s been a while since he stumbled anyway.
Why did I keep at it? There is simply something infectious about Chet’s voice—as much as you want to figure out what happened—who kidnapped the cat and why, will they figure out the other mysteries along the way, will Bernie lose a lot of money doing something foolish, etc.—you want to stay in Chet’s head for longer than it’ll take to finish the book. This book is a textbook example of that.
WHAT DOES THIS BOOK TELL US ABOUT HUMANITY?
There’s a good deal here about the human propensity for making mistakes you’d regret later—if not sooner.
There’s a lot about good parenting and inadequate parenting/parents. There are a couple of good parents in this book (one came so late in the book, you’d almost despair of seeing another one ever again), and several inadequate ones. Most of those didn’t realize they were—but boy howdy, they should’ve.
What this book tells us most about humanity—and this is largely true for every Chet and Bernie book is the importance of a connection between a human and an animal. Even if it’s just a connection for a short-time. We’ve got cats, a pig, and a couple of dogs. The cats enrich (literally, in at least one case) the lives of those they stay with. Chet gets to comfort people going through rough times and gets to support Bernie. The pig? Well, it’s there. The cats and the dogs are just wonderful and will make you want your own (assuming you don’t already).
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT CAT ON A HOT TIN WOOF?
It's a Chet and Bernie book—of course, I had a good time.
I’d have liked a little more clarity on a point or two about the conclusion. But when your narrator is delightfully unreliable, that’s hard. I think about these cases in a way Chet wouldn’t bother with, so unless Bernie muses about some of the action, there’s just no way that we get the answers I want.
But you have to expect that going in, so it really doesn’t matter.
It’s been a minute since "old man Heydrich" was brought up (and I'm more than okay with that), and I think his replacement could be fun. We get some good Charlie and Leda stuff. Weatherly could’ve been in it more (but was used well). The client herself is the kind that you hope Quinn finds a way to bring back (as he does with another client here), and…well, it’s all just good.
It’s a fun mystery that will keep you smiling throughout—even when Chet solves the mystery (and doesn’t realize it)—maybe it’d be better to say that the reader solves it through Chet’s eyes—and you’re just sitting there waiting for Bernie to catch up. That’s frequently a frustrating experience when I’m that far ahead of the protagonist in a book—but here, it’s just fun.
If you've never met our intrepid pair of P.I.s, this would be a perfect book to jump into the series with—honestly, any of them would work, but you might as well start with this one. If you've been around the duo before, this is as good as you remember. Either way—check out Cat on a Hot Tin Woof.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post, which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.
April 19, 2026
How can you not love a book narrated by a dog who understands a lot of what's going on, but also --- in true, believable doggy fashion --- misses so much? Spencer Quinn has an almost supernatural ability to write like a dog. Or at least what we think our dogs might be thinking as they go through life with us. And in his latest story, CAT ON A HOT TIN WOOF, there's finally a cat!
Miss Kitty, a viral influencer in the form of an adorable black and white kitten, is missing. Her person, Bitty, and Bitty's mother are desperate to get her back. Miss Kitty's endorsements and influencer status provide a huge income for the single mom and her daughter. Chet and Bernie are on the case, but of course it's more complex than just a missing cat.
Bernie starts investigating Bitty's estranged father, who is pretty much a ne'er-do-well. This leads to a few dead bodies; two women who have a horse ranch; the father's girlfriend, who has gone into hiding; and some really shady characters. But with the indomitable team on the job, justice is sure to be had.
Chet's narrative is brilliant. It's incredibly easy to believe that a dog is telling the story, complete with points that he doesn't understand, as well as what a dog would know that a human would not. Chet can't count past two and gets easily distracted by Slim Jims and other tasty morsels. But he also knows that while Miss Kitty isn't at a certain home, her scent is there. It's up to us to determine if that's because she was actually there or someone there was in contact with Miss Kitty.
To really appreciate the narrative, here's an example of why people love this series and Chet, the best dog ever. Chet and his son Shooter, who lives with Bernie's ex-wife, her new husband, and Bernie's son, are playing. They are really roughhousing --- chasing each other, running into each other, charging each other. Chet could hear distant voices telling them to stop. "But so very distant that it was a snap to imagine that I was imagining them. No time to dig any deeper into it --- although suddenly digging seemed like a fine idea so I dug a surprisingly deep hole in no time at all."
They continue to play, and Shooter runs right through the electric fence as they chase each other down the street. Finally, Chet hears Bernie calling him. "Uh-oh. Was that Bernie? When Bernie calls I come. He's in a special category. I turned and trotted back to the house --- how far away it was! Shooter trotted back right with me. We both looked straight ahead, minding our own. Two very good boys." This is just one small example of the delightful doggy narrative that fills the story.
To be honest, the book is probably 60% Chet's charming canine narrative and 40% mystery. But we wouldn't have it any other way. Quinn manages to make us really care about not only Chet and Bernie, but also Bitty, who loves her cat very much and is suffering not knowing if Miss Kitty is safe.
This particular mystery delves into the competition of social media influencers and the vast amounts of money that companies spend to have their products posted on social media. We love reading about dogs. So who's to disparage those who spend time online looking at cats and other adorable animals? Even my husband, who claims that he wants no dogs or cats in the house, watches cute cat and dog videos on his phone. I've caught him in the act!
This series has what dog and mystery lovers adore: an incredibly charismatic main canine character, an equally charismatic sidekick, and mysteries that aren't easy to solve. And Chet's flashbacks to past novels, almost always including the one with Peanut the elephant, bring extra humor to the read. Don't miss this really enjoyable series. Stephen King calls this installment "[t]he kind of can't-put-it-down, gotta-read-one-more-chapter crime novel that only a few writers can pull off." That says it all.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
Miss Kitty, a viral influencer in the form of an adorable black and white kitten, is missing. Her person, Bitty, and Bitty's mother are desperate to get her back. Miss Kitty's endorsements and influencer status provide a huge income for the single mom and her daughter. Chet and Bernie are on the case, but of course it's more complex than just a missing cat.
Bernie starts investigating Bitty's estranged father, who is pretty much a ne'er-do-well. This leads to a few dead bodies; two women who have a horse ranch; the father's girlfriend, who has gone into hiding; and some really shady characters. But with the indomitable team on the job, justice is sure to be had.
Chet's narrative is brilliant. It's incredibly easy to believe that a dog is telling the story, complete with points that he doesn't understand, as well as what a dog would know that a human would not. Chet can't count past two and gets easily distracted by Slim Jims and other tasty morsels. But he also knows that while Miss Kitty isn't at a certain home, her scent is there. It's up to us to determine if that's because she was actually there or someone there was in contact with Miss Kitty.
To really appreciate the narrative, here's an example of why people love this series and Chet, the best dog ever. Chet and his son Shooter, who lives with Bernie's ex-wife, her new husband, and Bernie's son, are playing. They are really roughhousing --- chasing each other, running into each other, charging each other. Chet could hear distant voices telling them to stop. "But so very distant that it was a snap to imagine that I was imagining them. No time to dig any deeper into it --- although suddenly digging seemed like a fine idea so I dug a surprisingly deep hole in no time at all."
They continue to play, and Shooter runs right through the electric fence as they chase each other down the street. Finally, Chet hears Bernie calling him. "Uh-oh. Was that Bernie? When Bernie calls I come. He's in a special category. I turned and trotted back to the house --- how far away it was! Shooter trotted back right with me. We both looked straight ahead, minding our own. Two very good boys." This is just one small example of the delightful doggy narrative that fills the story.
To be honest, the book is probably 60% Chet's charming canine narrative and 40% mystery. But we wouldn't have it any other way. Quinn manages to make us really care about not only Chet and Bernie, but also Bitty, who loves her cat very much and is suffering not knowing if Miss Kitty is safe.
This particular mystery delves into the competition of social media influencers and the vast amounts of money that companies spend to have their products posted on social media. We love reading about dogs. So who's to disparage those who spend time online looking at cats and other adorable animals? Even my husband, who claims that he wants no dogs or cats in the house, watches cute cat and dog videos on his phone. I've caught him in the act!
This series has what dog and mystery lovers adore: an incredibly charismatic main canine character, an equally charismatic sidekick, and mysteries that aren't easy to solve. And Chet's flashbacks to past novels, almost always including the one with Peanut the elephant, bring extra humor to the read. Don't miss this really enjoyable series. Stephen King calls this installment "[t]he kind of can't-put-it-down, gotta-read-one-more-chapter crime novel that only a few writers can pull off." That says it all.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I like Bernie Little. I love his dog Chet a lot. I’m way more fond of cats than dogs (sorry, Chet), and it’s a cat, after all, that gets this story rolling. But this particular adventure somehow needed another wheel or two to keep it on its usual entertaining fast track.
That doesn’t mean, however, that it moves along slowly; just like all the other books in this wonderful series (this is the 16th), it’s always a treat to get Chet’s take on the situation, and Chet isn’t known for dragging his feet (wagging his tail, maybe, but that means something entirely different). And when was the last time you got to see the world of a private detective through the eyes of a pooch who flunked out of K-9 school on the last day of training (blame that, too, on a cat)? No, it’s more that the plot itself was a bit less interesting to me than most of the others.
Here, Bernie’s Little Detective Agency has taken on the job, albeit reluctantly, of finding a missing cat. Miss Kitty, though, is no average feline; she’s a social media sensation, thanks to her owner, teenage Bitty. She lives with her mother Evelyn, and together they’re looking at raking in some serious and much-needed cash from sponsors. Up to now, Miss Kitty has had purrfect attendance in her media appearances, but suddenly she’s nowhere to be found. Bitty and her mom have been diligent in keeping doors and windows locked, so how on earth did she get out? More to the point, where did she go, and can Bernie and Chet find her so Bitty can sign a big contract worth even more money?
At the outset, there’s one primary suspect, but that turns out to be the wrong choice. So, Bernie and Chet take off once again to follow clues that lead to unexpected encounters with still another four-legged critter – one whose unfamiliar sniffs and snorts put Chet on high alert while Bernie focuses on following the evidence left by humans who might have a grudge against Miss Kitty or her owners.
It is, as always, a merry chase that leaves readers chuckling in spots as the irrepressible Chet shares his point of view as only he can. All in all, it’s another perplexing mystery solved in a very entertaining fashion with a bit of a bang-up ending. And once again, my thanks go to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.
That doesn’t mean, however, that it moves along slowly; just like all the other books in this wonderful series (this is the 16th), it’s always a treat to get Chet’s take on the situation, and Chet isn’t known for dragging his feet (wagging his tail, maybe, but that means something entirely different). And when was the last time you got to see the world of a private detective through the eyes of a pooch who flunked out of K-9 school on the last day of training (blame that, too, on a cat)? No, it’s more that the plot itself was a bit less interesting to me than most of the others.
Here, Bernie’s Little Detective Agency has taken on the job, albeit reluctantly, of finding a missing cat. Miss Kitty, though, is no average feline; she’s a social media sensation, thanks to her owner, teenage Bitty. She lives with her mother Evelyn, and together they’re looking at raking in some serious and much-needed cash from sponsors. Up to now, Miss Kitty has had purrfect attendance in her media appearances, but suddenly she’s nowhere to be found. Bitty and her mom have been diligent in keeping doors and windows locked, so how on earth did she get out? More to the point, where did she go, and can Bernie and Chet find her so Bitty can sign a big contract worth even more money?
At the outset, there’s one primary suspect, but that turns out to be the wrong choice. So, Bernie and Chet take off once again to follow clues that lead to unexpected encounters with still another four-legged critter – one whose unfamiliar sniffs and snorts put Chet on high alert while Bernie focuses on following the evidence left by humans who might have a grudge against Miss Kitty or her owners.
It is, as always, a merry chase that leaves readers chuckling in spots as the irrepressible Chet shares his point of view as only he can. All in all, it’s another perplexing mystery solved in a very entertaining fashion with a bit of a bang-up ending. And once again, my thanks go to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's just cat-hating, detective dog Chet's luck that the next case he and his human Bernie will be involved in centers around, oh, dear, cats. A missing cat to be exact. A viral sensation of a cat. Miss Kitty. An internet star. Her human, Bitty, misses her terribly. While Chet would just as rather human PI Bernie Little pass this case up -- seems a cat had something to do with Chet flunking out of K9 classes -- Bernie is a sucker for a sad teen's face. He also is always, always in need of money. Chet will explain that here and there as the story progresses but, well, let's just say Bernie puts his money in all the wrong places.
Anyway, Bernie accepts the case. Oh, and did I mention that the prime witness is a real pig. Real as in a oinking pig. Goes by the name of Senor Piggy. You know right there that this is going to be a fun, wild, and probably very humorous case. I'm not going to detail the plot, it's too much fun to follow as it unfolds, but it does tackle what might be considered a timely issue, the down side of internet fame. It's narrated by Chet, who believes his human partner is absolutely brilliant, and is full of action and author Spencer Quinn's trademark humor. I've missed the last few books, alas, but fell right into this one with no issues, so would say it works well as a standalone if you're new to the series.
Bottom line, a fun, interesting mystery. It's totally narrated by Chet, btw, so you get his somewhat quirky, goofy takes on everything from the way cats smell -- he senses there's going to be a cat involved even before Bernie talks to the clients -- to Bernie's obsession with his car and, well, much more. It makes for a lighthearted read even when things get tense and there's always a lot of action in this series. You'll like Chet and Bernie, even if Chet's viewpoint of Bernie is, well, a bit of hero worship, too. It's Chet's voice we get, of course, and that keeps the humor flowing and Chet's genuine attachment to his human is obvious. Needless to say, lots of twists and turns in the plot, all ending up in a confrontation. Seriously, will Chet be able to bring himself to help, ugh, a cat? Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for giving me this early peek at Chet and Bernie's latest case, cat, big, and all. I need to get to the library and catch up on this series!
Anyway, Bernie accepts the case. Oh, and did I mention that the prime witness is a real pig. Real as in a oinking pig. Goes by the name of Senor Piggy. You know right there that this is going to be a fun, wild, and probably very humorous case. I'm not going to detail the plot, it's too much fun to follow as it unfolds, but it does tackle what might be considered a timely issue, the down side of internet fame. It's narrated by Chet, who believes his human partner is absolutely brilliant, and is full of action and author Spencer Quinn's trademark humor. I've missed the last few books, alas, but fell right into this one with no issues, so would say it works well as a standalone if you're new to the series.
Bottom line, a fun, interesting mystery. It's totally narrated by Chet, btw, so you get his somewhat quirky, goofy takes on everything from the way cats smell -- he senses there's going to be a cat involved even before Bernie talks to the clients -- to Bernie's obsession with his car and, well, much more. It makes for a lighthearted read even when things get tense and there's always a lot of action in this series. You'll like Chet and Bernie, even if Chet's viewpoint of Bernie is, well, a bit of hero worship, too. It's Chet's voice we get, of course, and that keeps the humor flowing and Chet's genuine attachment to his human is obvious. Needless to say, lots of twists and turns in the plot, all ending up in a confrontation. Seriously, will Chet be able to bring himself to help, ugh, a cat? Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for giving me this early peek at Chet and Bernie's latest case, cat, big, and all. I need to get to the library and catch up on this series!
September 7, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC copy.
Let me start by saying this: sixteen books in, and Spencer Quinn hasn’t lost a speck of magic. Somehow, the Chet and Bernie series keeps its charm while still feeling fresh, and Cat on a Hot Tin Woof absolutely proves that. What makes this one stand out is how much Chet detests the very idea of tracking down a cat and his inner commentary on why is laugh-out-loud funny. But of course, his devotion to Bernie wins out. That push-pull between canine instincts and loyalty makes for some of the most delightful passages.
What makes the Chet and Bernie Mystery series so special is the unique perspective. Everything is told from Chet’s point of view. The humor is authentic, the voice is charming, and you can’t help but fall in love with the way Spencer Quinn captures a dog’s worldview. This series has always blended the warmth of a cozy mystery with the intrigue of a detective novel, and Cat on a Hot Tin Woof continues the streak of clever plots, witty writing, and authentic character dynamics.
The pacing keeps you hooked, with just enough red herrings to make the detective work engaging without overwhelming the cozy vibe. While the mystery itself isn’t the most complex in the series, the authenticity of Chet’s voice and Bernie’s steady charm make every moment a joy. Fans of the previous 15 books will find this adventure just as captivating, with Quinn’s signature blend of heart, humor, and suspense. For anyone searching for a dog-themed cozy mystery or a laugh-out-loud detective novel, this one’s a must-read. Mark your calendar for April 14, 2026. This tail-wagging tale belongs on your TBR! I'm definitely going to revisit the audiobook once its out.
If this review tickled your detective senses 🕵️♀️🔍, come snoop around my blog for more feel-good mysteries, page-turning escapades, and the occasional plot twist that even I didn’t see coming. 📚✨ Swing by Views She Writes — where books aren’t just read, they’re interrogated (nicely) until the truth spills out.
Let me start by saying this: sixteen books in, and Spencer Quinn hasn’t lost a speck of magic. Somehow, the Chet and Bernie series keeps its charm while still feeling fresh, and Cat on a Hot Tin Woof absolutely proves that. What makes this one stand out is how much Chet detests the very idea of tracking down a cat and his inner commentary on why is laugh-out-loud funny. But of course, his devotion to Bernie wins out. That push-pull between canine instincts and loyalty makes for some of the most delightful passages.
What makes the Chet and Bernie Mystery series so special is the unique perspective. Everything is told from Chet’s point of view. The humor is authentic, the voice is charming, and you can’t help but fall in love with the way Spencer Quinn captures a dog’s worldview. This series has always blended the warmth of a cozy mystery with the intrigue of a detective novel, and Cat on a Hot Tin Woof continues the streak of clever plots, witty writing, and authentic character dynamics.
The pacing keeps you hooked, with just enough red herrings to make the detective work engaging without overwhelming the cozy vibe. While the mystery itself isn’t the most complex in the series, the authenticity of Chet’s voice and Bernie’s steady charm make every moment a joy. Fans of the previous 15 books will find this adventure just as captivating, with Quinn’s signature blend of heart, humor, and suspense. For anyone searching for a dog-themed cozy mystery or a laugh-out-loud detective novel, this one’s a must-read. Mark your calendar for April 14, 2026. This tail-wagging tale belongs on your TBR! I'm definitely going to revisit the audiobook once its out.
If this review tickled your detective senses 🕵️♀️🔍, come snoop around my blog for more feel-good mysteries, page-turning escapades, and the occasional plot twist that even I didn’t see coming. 📚✨ Swing by Views She Writes — where books aren’t just read, they’re interrogated (nicely) until the truth spills out.
April 24, 2026
Edition
🎧 Listened in audio
📢 Narrated by Jim Frangione
⏱ Duration: 9 hours
📱📖 Also read as ARC
📃 320 pages
🏷️ Publisher: Recorded Books and Minotaur Books | Release Date: April 14, 2026
Sixteen books in, and Spencer Quinn still has me wrapped around Chet's dewclaw. Cat on a Hot Tin Woof feels both comfortably familiar and surprisingly fresh, like your favorite sweater that somehow got softer in the wash. We’re back to cat-hunting (a full-circle moment if you’ve been here since A Cat Was Involved), and Chet is… not thrilled. Chet's disdain for cats collides beautifully with his soft spot for Bitty, the teen girl whose livelihood depends on finding Miss Kitty. The way Chet describes her ("the moon shines out of her eyes") is so earnest and dog-brained that I actually got misty. He doesn't want to care about this case, but he cares about her, and that's everything.
This one hit a little harder emotionally for me. Chet getting lost and ending up in the pound (no collar, no Bernie) was rough. I felt that panic. I heard it in the narration. And maybe that’s why the quick reunion felt like a tiny cheat… but also, I’ll allow it because I cannot handle prolonged separation. The mystery itself is twisty without being convoluted. There's social media commentary woven in (internet fame, sponsors, the financial pressure on a struggling family), but it never feels preachy. Quinn keeps it light, filtered through Chet's hilariously oblivious POV.
And Chet's evolving too. More protective. More aggressive when Bernie's in danger. His "so therefore" logic is sharper, even if he doesn't realize he's doing detective work. Sixteen books later, Spencer Quinn hasn’t lost the magic. If anything, he’s deepened it.
Would I recommend it?
If you're already a Chet and Bernie fan, this is a no-brainer. If you've never met Chet, honestly, start with Book 1 (Dog On It), but this would work as a standalone too. It's cozy mystery comfort food with just enough bite to keep you guessing. The narration by Jim Frangione is chef's kiss. He IS Chet. Warm, twisty, emotionally sneaky in the best way.
🎧 Listened in audio
📢 Narrated by Jim Frangione
⏱ Duration: 9 hours
📱📖 Also read as ARC
📃 320 pages
🏷️ Publisher: Recorded Books and Minotaur Books | Release Date: April 14, 2026
Sixteen books in, and Spencer Quinn still has me wrapped around Chet's dewclaw. Cat on a Hot Tin Woof feels both comfortably familiar and surprisingly fresh, like your favorite sweater that somehow got softer in the wash. We’re back to cat-hunting (a full-circle moment if you’ve been here since A Cat Was Involved), and Chet is… not thrilled. Chet's disdain for cats collides beautifully with his soft spot for Bitty, the teen girl whose livelihood depends on finding Miss Kitty. The way Chet describes her ("the moon shines out of her eyes") is so earnest and dog-brained that I actually got misty. He doesn't want to care about this case, but he cares about her, and that's everything.
This one hit a little harder emotionally for me. Chet getting lost and ending up in the pound (no collar, no Bernie) was rough. I felt that panic. I heard it in the narration. And maybe that’s why the quick reunion felt like a tiny cheat… but also, I’ll allow it because I cannot handle prolonged separation. The mystery itself is twisty without being convoluted. There's social media commentary woven in (internet fame, sponsors, the financial pressure on a struggling family), but it never feels preachy. Quinn keeps it light, filtered through Chet's hilariously oblivious POV.
And Chet's evolving too. More protective. More aggressive when Bernie's in danger. His "so therefore" logic is sharper, even if he doesn't realize he's doing detective work. Sixteen books later, Spencer Quinn hasn’t lost the magic. If anything, he’s deepened it.
Would I recommend it?
If you're already a Chet and Bernie fan, this is a no-brainer. If you've never met Chet, honestly, start with Book 1 (Dog On It), but this would work as a standalone too. It's cozy mystery comfort food with just enough bite to keep you guessing. The narration by Jim Frangione is chef's kiss. He IS Chet. Warm, twisty, emotionally sneaky in the best way.
April 15, 2026
4.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Cat on a Hot Tin Woof. This is number 16 in the compelling Chet and Bernie Mysteries by author Spencer Quinn. The covers are always eye-catching, featuring an adorable dog. This cover is different and clever. It shows only the dog from behind, studying a photo of a missing cat on a cell phone.
Bernie is a detective at the Little Detective Detective Agency, with his dog Chet as his partner, helping him solve crimes. Both Bernie and Chet adore each other. Chet admires Bernie's investigative skills, but he realizes that his own sense of smell and hearing are superior to Bernie's. This is a charming and endearing partnership. Chet, the dog, narrates the story in a hilarious stream of consciousness from a dog's point of view and understanding.
They have been hired to find a cat, Miss Kitty, who has vanished after becoming a social media sensation. Chet is not fond of cats. He flunked out of K9 police dog training. (A cat was involved). Will Chet be willing to help a cat? Miss Kitty was a social media star with a million-plus followers. The detective team are hired to find her. With her mother's support, Bitty Pond has turned Bitty and Miss Kitty into a thriving online business with corporate sponsors and a large viewership, generating substantial income. It is essential that Miss Kitty be found before the viewers realize that she is missing, and the income stops.
The search by Bernie and Chet includes some troublesome suspects, violence, murder, and greed. There is plenty of action and suspense, and Chet's viewpoint makes the mystery entertaining and fun. The witness is a pig who cannot communicate as Chet does. This is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and funny story.
This is my favourite dog/detective team. I have read a few other books in this series, but I felt that this works well as a stand-alone. I recommend this book along with others in the Chet/Bernie series.
Bernie is a detective at the Little Detective Detective Agency, with his dog Chet as his partner, helping him solve crimes. Both Bernie and Chet adore each other. Chet admires Bernie's investigative skills, but he realizes that his own sense of smell and hearing are superior to Bernie's. This is a charming and endearing partnership. Chet, the dog, narrates the story in a hilarious stream of consciousness from a dog's point of view and understanding.
They have been hired to find a cat, Miss Kitty, who has vanished after becoming a social media sensation. Chet is not fond of cats. He flunked out of K9 police dog training. (A cat was involved). Will Chet be willing to help a cat? Miss Kitty was a social media star with a million-plus followers. The detective team are hired to find her. With her mother's support, Bitty Pond has turned Bitty and Miss Kitty into a thriving online business with corporate sponsors and a large viewership, generating substantial income. It is essential that Miss Kitty be found before the viewers realize that she is missing, and the income stops.
The search by Bernie and Chet includes some troublesome suspects, violence, murder, and greed. There is plenty of action and suspense, and Chet's viewpoint makes the mystery entertaining and fun. The witness is a pig who cannot communicate as Chet does. This is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and funny story.
This is my favourite dog/detective team. I have read a few other books in this series, but I felt that this works well as a stand-alone. I recommend this book along with others in the Chet/Bernie series.
April 17, 2026
I am a dog person, who talks to our two terriers all of the time. And while I often ask them, who made this mess? They just look at me with the innocent look of a terrier, who hopes I can blame someone else in the house. Solving crimes, though? Probably not, since Airedale Terriers are the clowns of the dog world. In fact, 30+ years with a dozen or more Airedale Terriers has taught me that solving crimes is not their strength. Committing crimes? Definitely a possibility.
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof is the story of Chet and Bernie, a crime solving duo, in which Chet is the dog.. This novel is Spencer Quinn's 16th book in the Chet & Bernie Mystery Series. This is my first outing with this series. I started to read Cat on a Hot Tin Woof and was immediately confused. I had not read the publisher's notes and did not know that Chet was a dog and narrator. I had to immediately begin with some research to find my way into this novel. Cat on a Hot Tin Woof is a cozy mystery, which in this case is a not very complicated mystery,, but since the narrator is Chet, it is clear that the actual crime needs to fit Chet's comfort level, which in this case is the search for a missing cat. Chet is easily distracted, which can lead to some narration that goes elsewhere or nowhere, rather than the search for the cat. All the same, by the novel's end, Chet has solved the crime, but no spoilers from me.
It can sometimes be difficult for a readers to suddenly step into a new series, especially by book 16. And I did struggle a bit. Had I begun with book 1, I suspect it would all have made more sense to me.. Chet as narrator does require some suspension of logic and belief, but for dog loving readers, it works well. Apparently, Quinn has proven Chet's talent as a crime solving dog.
3.5 = 4 stars
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof is the story of Chet and Bernie, a crime solving duo, in which Chet is the dog.. This novel is Spencer Quinn's 16th book in the Chet & Bernie Mystery Series. This is my first outing with this series. I started to read Cat on a Hot Tin Woof and was immediately confused. I had not read the publisher's notes and did not know that Chet was a dog and narrator. I had to immediately begin with some research to find my way into this novel. Cat on a Hot Tin Woof is a cozy mystery, which in this case is a not very complicated mystery,, but since the narrator is Chet, it is clear that the actual crime needs to fit Chet's comfort level, which in this case is the search for a missing cat. Chet is easily distracted, which can lead to some narration that goes elsewhere or nowhere, rather than the search for the cat. All the same, by the novel's end, Chet has solved the crime, but no spoilers from me.
It can sometimes be difficult for a readers to suddenly step into a new series, especially by book 16. And I did struggle a bit. Had I begun with book 1, I suspect it would all have made more sense to me.. Chet as narrator does require some suspension of logic and belief, but for dog loving readers, it works well. Apparently, Quinn has proven Chet's talent as a crime solving dog.
3.5 = 4 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof, 16th in Spencer Quinn's Chet & Bernie Mysteries, is all about finding an adorable missing cat, Miss Kitty, who has gone viral on social media and is providing a much-needed steady stream of income for her teenage owner, Bitty, and her mother. But it leads to some unexpected mayhem that presents multiple challenges for PI Bernie and his intrepid sidekick, super-sized mutt Chet.
Let's be serious--the lure of these books is the relationship between the two. Bernie adopted Chet after the dog was ousted from K-9 training after an unfortunate incident with a cat, and they have become a very effective and close-knit team. Chet, who idolizes idolizes Bernie, narrates each of the books in the most charming way--he understands what Bernie is saying, but he interprets it in a literal way, leading to some hilarious misunderstandings. And, of course, he is frustrated that he can't communicate his thoughts and discoveries in words to Bernie. But Chet has a heightened sense of smell, which often comes in handy in investigations, and he can always be counted on to get Bernie out of scrapes and threatened (or real) violence.
I love this series, which is comfort reading for me because I enjoy spending time with this pair, and this book cover is one of the most delightful. Unfortunately, part of the plot here involves rare earth investments, which I don't know anything about, or care about. Happily, this theme gets short shrift in the story, but I would have appreciated something more interesting. On a more positive note, I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Senor Piggy, a large pig who plays a role in the mystery. I will definitely keep looking for the next Bernie and Chet mystery.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book.
Let's be serious--the lure of these books is the relationship between the two. Bernie adopted Chet after the dog was ousted from K-9 training after an unfortunate incident with a cat, and they have become a very effective and close-knit team. Chet, who idolizes idolizes Bernie, narrates each of the books in the most charming way--he understands what Bernie is saying, but he interprets it in a literal way, leading to some hilarious misunderstandings. And, of course, he is frustrated that he can't communicate his thoughts and discoveries in words to Bernie. But Chet has a heightened sense of smell, which often comes in handy in investigations, and he can always be counted on to get Bernie out of scrapes and threatened (or real) violence.
I love this series, which is comfort reading for me because I enjoy spending time with this pair, and this book cover is one of the most delightful. Unfortunately, part of the plot here involves rare earth investments, which I don't know anything about, or care about. Happily, this theme gets short shrift in the story, but I would have appreciated something more interesting. On a more positive note, I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Senor Piggy, a large pig who plays a role in the mystery. I will definitely keep looking for the next Bernie and Chet mystery.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Chet and Bernie of the Little Detective Agency are once again on the case. Narrated by the intrepid Chet, a 100 pound very good doggie, the mystery revolves around a Slickety sensation called Miss Kitty. Videos of this cat, seeming to be bored by everything her owner Bitty does, have gone viral and are raking in the bucks. Since her disappearance, her fans are voicing their dismay and her sponsors have their eye on Bratty Catty, a fat orange cat who can replace Miss Kitty. Bernie now has a reputation for solving difficult cases in The Valley so he's been hired to find the missing feline. BTW-Chet hates cats.
This one is a puzzler-does her disappearance have anything to do with Bitty's father, caught in a double homicide over copper rare earth leases? Does it involve the Two Fillies's Ranch whose owners are mighty fond of their handguns? Or could it be about drugs, as per usual. Certainly Senor Piggie must be in the mix-he might hold the key to the whole caper. Meanwhile, the movie being made about Chet and Bernie is not coming together as it should-and that was going to be their big meal ticket.
I have been following the adventures of Chet and Bernie for many years and I'm always so happy when Quinn gives his fans another novel. The progression of Bernie's life in The Valley of the Sun (read metropolitan Phoenix) as told by Chet, a black shepherd with one white ear, is always entertaining and it's great to catch up with Leda his ex, Weatherly, his on again off again fiancee, and the other familiar characters of the previous books. This one was one of the best in the series and I really enjoyed it. It's high time to get your meow on!
This one is a puzzler-does her disappearance have anything to do with Bitty's father, caught in a double homicide over copper rare earth leases? Does it involve the Two Fillies's Ranch whose owners are mighty fond of their handguns? Or could it be about drugs, as per usual. Certainly Senor Piggie must be in the mix-he might hold the key to the whole caper. Meanwhile, the movie being made about Chet and Bernie is not coming together as it should-and that was going to be their big meal ticket.
I have been following the adventures of Chet and Bernie for many years and I'm always so happy when Quinn gives his fans another novel. The progression of Bernie's life in The Valley of the Sun (read metropolitan Phoenix) as told by Chet, a black shepherd with one white ear, is always entertaining and it's great to catch up with Leda his ex, Weatherly, his on again off again fiancee, and the other familiar characters of the previous books. This one was one of the best in the series and I really enjoyed it. It's high time to get your meow on!
April 21, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own unless otherwise noted.
I love this series, and this book lived up to all that I enjoy in a Chet and Bernie mystery. Chet is the charming canine narrator of each mystery. He’s also the four-legged team member of the Little Detective Agency, along with human partner and private investigator Bernie Little. What makes this series endearing is their relationship, as well as the fact that Chet takes everything literally and misunderstands the many idioms we humans take for granted. While he can only really count to two and has a weakness for anything edible, his sense of smell, his strength and loyalty, as well as his ability to leap are what Bernie depends on to help them overcome the bad guys and solve the crimes in each novel.
The plot of this mystery starts out simply with a social media parody – a famous and valuable cat known on the internet as “Miss Kitty” is missing. Hired to find her by Miss Kitty’s teenage owner, Bernie and Chet soon discover it’s a more serious issue when two people turn up dead. Danger, clues, guns, and even a pig named Senor Piggy make this an edge-of-your-seat read.
What makes this series outstanding is the humor of Chet's narration and his naive interpretation of humans - both their language and behavior. And the series is not cutesy or cloying.
If you're looking for a well-thought-out mystery, great characters, and a humorous page-turner, this is the book for you. Once you finish this, I guarantee you'll want to go back and find one of the earlier books - they're all endearing and entertaining!
I love this series, and this book lived up to all that I enjoy in a Chet and Bernie mystery. Chet is the charming canine narrator of each mystery. He’s also the four-legged team member of the Little Detective Agency, along with human partner and private investigator Bernie Little. What makes this series endearing is their relationship, as well as the fact that Chet takes everything literally and misunderstands the many idioms we humans take for granted. While he can only really count to two and has a weakness for anything edible, his sense of smell, his strength and loyalty, as well as his ability to leap are what Bernie depends on to help them overcome the bad guys and solve the crimes in each novel.
The plot of this mystery starts out simply with a social media parody – a famous and valuable cat known on the internet as “Miss Kitty” is missing. Hired to find her by Miss Kitty’s teenage owner, Bernie and Chet soon discover it’s a more serious issue when two people turn up dead. Danger, clues, guns, and even a pig named Senor Piggy make this an edge-of-your-seat read.
What makes this series outstanding is the humor of Chet's narration and his naive interpretation of humans - both their language and behavior. And the series is not cutesy or cloying.
If you're looking for a well-thought-out mystery, great characters, and a humorous page-turner, this is the book for you. Once you finish this, I guarantee you'll want to go back and find one of the earlier books - they're all endearing and entertaining!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun introduction into the Chet & Bernie mystery world, set somewhere in Arizona desert country. Although sixteenth in series, this story never left me asea and can easily stand on its own. Yet, as charming as it is, why wouldn't you want to go back and catch up on the missing pieces?
PI Bert and his beloved partner, Chet - a K9 Academy dropout, are on the hunt for a missing feline influencer named Miss Kitty. Did she wander off or are there nefarious machinations afoot? Much is riding on the recovery of this stray puss and Chet wishes that they never took this one on. But needs must and the search is on.
Told from Chet's perspective, (who is not particularly attune to idiomatic speech), we observe the investigatory process from a loyal, eager, and resourceful partner. Bert is a respected investigator and Chet...well everyone loves Chet.
The writing is solid and quite often humorous. The settings are well described and the characters - well developed. There are a couple of mysteries to be solved and a number of red herrings, to be sure. If a delightful cozy is what you're wishing for, then I highly commend this book to your reading pile.
I am grateful to Spencer Quinn and Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: April 14, 2026
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 978-1250331779
PI Bert and his beloved partner, Chet - a K9 Academy dropout, are on the hunt for a missing feline influencer named Miss Kitty. Did she wander off or are there nefarious machinations afoot? Much is riding on the recovery of this stray puss and Chet wishes that they never took this one on. But needs must and the search is on.
Told from Chet's perspective, (who is not particularly attune to idiomatic speech), we observe the investigatory process from a loyal, eager, and resourceful partner. Bert is a respected investigator and Chet...well everyone loves Chet.
The writing is solid and quite often humorous. The settings are well described and the characters - well developed. There are a couple of mysteries to be solved and a number of red herrings, to be sure. If a delightful cozy is what you're wishing for, then I highly commend this book to your reading pile.
I am grateful to Spencer Quinn and Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: April 14, 2026
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 978-1250331779
April 12, 2026
As soon as I saw the title, I knew I had to read this book. Besides, this is a Chet & Bernie Mystery, and that says it all. I haven't read the series for years. The last one was number five--A Fist Full of Collars--so it's hard to believe that there are now 16 books. Wow! Secondly, being a cat lover, I thought, this has to be the best of both worlds. Cat on a Hot Tin Woof did not disappoint. Makes me wonder with such a great pun, how long Quinn had been working on making this book possible. Once I got started reading, I wanted to read it pretty much cover to cover--and finished about 3/4s of it in a matter of days.
Before I go further, I would like to thank Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and the author, Spencer Quinn, for providing this advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I might be only slightly biased in my review because I'm very familiar with this series. I had forgotten just how fun it was reading through the eyes of Chet the Jet. Bernie, is Bernie Little, of the Little Detective Agency. First of all, this book can stand on its own. So I highly recommend jumping in for a fun read for any and all who enjoy a good mystery. Often the story is humorous, and why wouldn't be through a dog's eyes, especially since Chet (and Bernie, of course) must come to the rescue of Miss Kitty. In typical Quinn writing, there are several mysteries to be solved, making this a very fun and delightful cozy book.
Reading Cat on a Hot Tin Woof makes me want to go back and catch up and learn about the new love in Bernie's life (nope, not going to spoil it), or at least new to me. It's nice to know that the characters have developed and the descriptions of the Arizona desert are as beautiful as ever. The past cases that Chet references has me curious enough to check out the 11 books I've missed out on up to now.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good mystery, told from a fun-loving dog and his side-kick Bernie!
Before I go further, I would like to thank Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and the author, Spencer Quinn, for providing this advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I might be only slightly biased in my review because I'm very familiar with this series. I had forgotten just how fun it was reading through the eyes of Chet the Jet. Bernie, is Bernie Little, of the Little Detective Agency. First of all, this book can stand on its own. So I highly recommend jumping in for a fun read for any and all who enjoy a good mystery. Often the story is humorous, and why wouldn't be through a dog's eyes, especially since Chet (and Bernie, of course) must come to the rescue of Miss Kitty. In typical Quinn writing, there are several mysteries to be solved, making this a very fun and delightful cozy book.
Reading Cat on a Hot Tin Woof makes me want to go back and catch up and learn about the new love in Bernie's life (nope, not going to spoil it), or at least new to me. It's nice to know that the characters have developed and the descriptions of the Arizona desert are as beautiful as ever. The past cases that Chet references has me curious enough to check out the 11 books I've missed out on up to now.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good mystery, told from a fun-loving dog and his side-kick Bernie!
November 8, 2025
Chet tells all from his own unique perspective which is very literal and reminiscent of a human on the spectrum. I think that each book is capable of being standalone but is more fun each time I read one.
Bernie is a private investigator in the American southwest and Chet is a failed K9 who narrates everything from his perspective. While Bernie Little runs the Little Detective Agency alone (with Chet) is a good investigator and does have a life outside of work that includes a teenaged son and a remarried ex-wife, Chet is a real laugh riot with his point of view and ability to make almost everything fun. But he does NOT like cats, and their assignment is to find a missing famous cat. Plenty of twists, turns, danger, crooks, and surprises as usual!
This is not an unbiased review as I have loved Chet's stories for more than 10 years.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Pub Date Apr 14, 2026 #preorder
#CatonaHotTinWoof by Spencer Quinn #ChetandBernieMysteriesBk16 @stmartinspress @minotaur_books #NetGalley #bookbub #thestorygraph #goodreads @librarythingofficial
#bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #bookshop_org_ca
#privateinvestigators #missing #murder #investigations #arizonadesert #suspense #excop #cat #exmilitary #partners #failedK9 #snarkyhumormurders #relationships #friendship #pig
Bernie is a private investigator in the American southwest and Chet is a failed K9 who narrates everything from his perspective. While Bernie Little runs the Little Detective Agency alone (with Chet) is a good investigator and does have a life outside of work that includes a teenaged son and a remarried ex-wife, Chet is a real laugh riot with his point of view and ability to make almost everything fun. But he does NOT like cats, and their assignment is to find a missing famous cat. Plenty of twists, turns, danger, crooks, and surprises as usual!
This is not an unbiased review as I have loved Chet's stories for more than 10 years.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Pub Date Apr 14, 2026 #preorder
#CatonaHotTinWoof by Spencer Quinn #ChetandBernieMysteriesBk16 @stmartinspress @minotaur_books #NetGalley #bookbub #thestorygraph #goodreads @librarythingofficial
#bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #bookshop_org_ca
#privateinvestigators #missing #murder #investigations #arizonadesert #suspense #excop #cat #exmilitary #partners #failedK9 #snarkyhumormurders #relationships #friendship #pig
November 27, 2025
Sometimes you’re just in the mood for a mystery narrated by a dog. I sure was, and I’m glad I read “Cat on a Hot Tin Woof.” I’ve read others in this Spencer Quinn series, and none of them have disappointed. Bernie, a private investigator, and Chet, his canine sidekick and book narrator, are the main characters.
Miss Kitty has been reported missing by her human social media co-star, Bitty. Aside from being a beloved cat, Miss Kitty plays a crucial role in a video series that lands Bitty and her mom $75,000 a month.
Bernie is not too enthusiastic about lost-animal cases, and Chet is not crazy about looking for a cat. But young Bitty is very persuasive.
The investigation begins. Bernie suspects that someone has taken Miss Kitty– maybe a competitor for a lucrative sponsor contract. Chet performs some independent research and gets himself into trouble. He gains some valuable information, but, as usual, can’t tell Bernie what it is.
Chet and Bernie mysteries are well-written and, apart from the narrating dog, are pretty typical as mysteries go. A couple of bad guys usually bite the dust. People lie. Solving the case is no picnic.
I recommend “Cat on a Hot Tin Woof,” especially if you’re in the mood for a canine-infused mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
Miss Kitty has been reported missing by her human social media co-star, Bitty. Aside from being a beloved cat, Miss Kitty plays a crucial role in a video series that lands Bitty and her mom $75,000 a month.
Bernie is not too enthusiastic about lost-animal cases, and Chet is not crazy about looking for a cat. But young Bitty is very persuasive.
The investigation begins. Bernie suspects that someone has taken Miss Kitty– maybe a competitor for a lucrative sponsor contract. Chet performs some independent research and gets himself into trouble. He gains some valuable information, but, as usual, can’t tell Bernie what it is.
Chet and Bernie mysteries are well-written and, apart from the narrating dog, are pretty typical as mysteries go. A couple of bad guys usually bite the dust. People lie. Solving the case is no picnic.
I recommend “Cat on a Hot Tin Woof,” especially if you’re in the mood for a canine-infused mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was very excited to be able to receive and review an early copy of CAT ON A HOT TIN WOOF by Spencer Quinn.
In this sixteenth story in the Chet & Bernie series, the duos job is to find a cat who is very important to a young girl named Bitty. Her cat is part of a social media platform where Bitty has tons of followers. Those readers who have read the Chet & Bernie series over time, know that Chet is not fond of cats at all. But with a good fee for finding Miss Kitty, Chet can be persuaded to join in the search.
The search takes the two in many directions, sometimes quite dangerous. It's hard to tell, at times, who the "good guys" are.
A lot of characters from previous books make appearances such as Leda, Bernie's ex and his beloved son, Charlie. They all add to the tone of the storyline.
Most readers, myself included, love the Chet and Bernie series because of Chet. He provides insight that only a dog could have with his super hearing and sense of smell. He has plenty of lol moments when he often misunderstands what is happening or certain situations He is always a hero and a truly lovable dog. As someone who has a large dog, I can relate to Chet on several levels.
In these times of unrest and difficult situations, Chet & Bernie always take me away from everyday life and make me smile.
In this sixteenth story in the Chet & Bernie series, the duos job is to find a cat who is very important to a young girl named Bitty. Her cat is part of a social media platform where Bitty has tons of followers. Those readers who have read the Chet & Bernie series over time, know that Chet is not fond of cats at all. But with a good fee for finding Miss Kitty, Chet can be persuaded to join in the search.
The search takes the two in many directions, sometimes quite dangerous. It's hard to tell, at times, who the "good guys" are.
A lot of characters from previous books make appearances such as Leda, Bernie's ex and his beloved son, Charlie. They all add to the tone of the storyline.
Most readers, myself included, love the Chet and Bernie series because of Chet. He provides insight that only a dog could have with his super hearing and sense of smell. He has plenty of lol moments when he often misunderstands what is happening or certain situations He is always a hero and a truly lovable dog. As someone who has a large dog, I can relate to Chet on several levels.
In these times of unrest and difficult situations, Chet & Bernie always take me away from everyday life and make me smile.
November 18, 2025
Why haven't I heard of Spencer Quinn before? I've gotta go buy ALL his books!
This is a murder mystery comedy. Bernie and Chet the perfect dog team up to solve mysteries. The entire book is told from Chet's point of view and I have no earthly idea how Quinn has mastered dog talk, but maybe Quinn is part dog.
This story deals with a stolen cat (Miss Kitty) who is obviously quite famous. There are many colloquialisms that come up in the story. Example - one of the witnesses was being silent and Bernie accused him with - Cat got your tongue? to which Chet shuddered! Another non-colloquialism - there was water dripping below the sink and Chet knew exactly how to handle it. Bernie has done this before. He gets pliers, goes under the sink, and then calls a plumber.
The storyline itself is rather twisted and complex but Quinn pulls all of this together at the close of the book.
I only had 72 hours to read the book, but I would like to read it the first time to follow the story. Then I would read it again for Chet's hilarious comments. Ah - I'll have to do this with his other books so I'll have to cut this review short to get to Barnes and Noble.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This is a murder mystery comedy. Bernie and Chet the perfect dog team up to solve mysteries. The entire book is told from Chet's point of view and I have no earthly idea how Quinn has mastered dog talk, but maybe Quinn is part dog.
This story deals with a stolen cat (Miss Kitty) who is obviously quite famous. There are many colloquialisms that come up in the story. Example - one of the witnesses was being silent and Bernie accused him with - Cat got your tongue? to which Chet shuddered! Another non-colloquialism - there was water dripping below the sink and Chet knew exactly how to handle it. Bernie has done this before. He gets pliers, goes under the sink, and then calls a plumber.
The storyline itself is rather twisted and complex but Quinn pulls all of this together at the close of the book.
I only had 72 hours to read the book, but I would like to read it the first time to follow the story. Then I would read it again for Chet's hilarious comments. Ah - I'll have to do this with his other books so I'll have to cut this review short to get to Barnes and Noble.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn felt like being joyfully tackled by an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while. I’ve missed a few books in the series, but Chet did not care in the slightest. One page in and I was right back in his world, where smells are important, food is VERY important, and the mystery is… well… important too, probably.
The plot is engaging and twisty enough to keep things moving, but let’s be honest, I’m here for Chet. His commentary, priorities, and occasional complete misunderstanding of what’s going on remain the true star of the show. Danger? Sure. Clues? Maybe. But is there a snack involved and who is a good boy? These are the real questions.
What I loved most is how easy it was to slip back into the series. There’s no homework required. You don’t need a flowchart or a recap. You just follow Chet, trust Bernie, and enjoy the ride. It’s comforting without being boring and funny without trying too hard.
Overall, Cat on a Hot Tin Woof is a delightful return to a series that knows exactly what it is and leans into it with enthusiasm and a wagging tail. Four stars for a mystery that made me laugh, kept me entertained, and reminded me why Chet is always the best detective in the room, even if he’s occasionally distracted by squirrels.
The plot is engaging and twisty enough to keep things moving, but let’s be honest, I’m here for Chet. His commentary, priorities, and occasional complete misunderstanding of what’s going on remain the true star of the show. Danger? Sure. Clues? Maybe. But is there a snack involved and who is a good boy? These are the real questions.
What I loved most is how easy it was to slip back into the series. There’s no homework required. You don’t need a flowchart or a recap. You just follow Chet, trust Bernie, and enjoy the ride. It’s comforting without being boring and funny without trying too hard.
Overall, Cat on a Hot Tin Woof is a delightful return to a series that knows exactly what it is and leans into it with enthusiasm and a wagging tail. Four stars for a mystery that made me laugh, kept me entertained, and reminded me why Chet is always the best detective in the room, even if he’s occasionally distracted by squirrels.
March 15, 2026
This was a fun and cozy mystery told from the perspective of the furry MC.
I started this one not realizing it was book 16 or the series, but that didn’t impede my ability to follow along. This one can be read as a standalone.
In this adventure, Chet, and his human companion, Bernie, and hired to find a missing cat, who also happens to be a social media star. She’s worth a lot of money, and it’s important her owners find her. Who would want to take her? What’s their angle? And will they be able to find the cat before something happens to her?
Bernie and Chet are a great duo; Bernie, the even keeled man who is methodical in his reasoning, and Chet-full of energy and raring to go find the bad guys. As they take us along for the ride, you get to bear witness to Chet’s “squirrel” moments, and his fierce loyalty to his human. You also get to see how, slowly, the pieces come together for Bernie on how, and why, the cat went missing. There’s plenty of misdirection, side characters who bring a little flare to the case-one being a pet pig. It proves to be entertaining to witness.
Quirky, well paced, and engaging, this novel is a fun little detour for anyone looking for a lighter read.
Thank you NetGalley, and Minotaur Books, for my arc. My opinion is my own.
I started this one not realizing it was book 16 or the series, but that didn’t impede my ability to follow along. This one can be read as a standalone.
In this adventure, Chet, and his human companion, Bernie, and hired to find a missing cat, who also happens to be a social media star. She’s worth a lot of money, and it’s important her owners find her. Who would want to take her? What’s their angle? And will they be able to find the cat before something happens to her?
Bernie and Chet are a great duo; Bernie, the even keeled man who is methodical in his reasoning, and Chet-full of energy and raring to go find the bad guys. As they take us along for the ride, you get to bear witness to Chet’s “squirrel” moments, and his fierce loyalty to his human. You also get to see how, slowly, the pieces come together for Bernie on how, and why, the cat went missing. There’s plenty of misdirection, side characters who bring a little flare to the case-one being a pet pig. It proves to be entertaining to witness.
Quirky, well paced, and engaging, this novel is a fun little detour for anyone looking for a lighter read.
Thank you NetGalley, and Minotaur Books, for my arc. My opinion is my own.
April 14, 2026
The 16th book in the Chet and Bernie mystery series, “Cat on a Hot Tin Woof” follows PI Bernie Little and his K9 partner, Chet, as they attempt to solve the case of missing internet superstar, Miss Kitty. A light-hearted, sometimes cheesy, mystery that will make you smile, but also delivers a good small-town whodunit.
I enjoyed how quick and “easy” this one was. Not super violent or graphic (though not entirely wholesome), no deep plots or gigantic twists, just a classic cozy mystery. The bit for the series was cute too, Chet, our K9 sleuth, is actually the narrator. Sometimes this aspect was really cute and unique, getting his perspective on things, other times I thought it was repetitive and juvenile.
This was my first time reading from the series. I was easily able to pop right in, despite being so late in the franchise, and pick up characters without needing too much background detail. I’m sure there were things I missed that could have added to the overall world-building, but you do not need to read the entire series to pick this one up.
If you like a “cozy” mystery that’s a little kitschy, give this one a go. Felt similar to the Janet Evanovich or Joanne Fluke series in themes and complexity of writing, but with the schtick of a narrating dog.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
I enjoyed how quick and “easy” this one was. Not super violent or graphic (though not entirely wholesome), no deep plots or gigantic twists, just a classic cozy mystery. The bit for the series was cute too, Chet, our K9 sleuth, is actually the narrator. Sometimes this aspect was really cute and unique, getting his perspective on things, other times I thought it was repetitive and juvenile.
This was my first time reading from the series. I was easily able to pop right in, despite being so late in the franchise, and pick up characters without needing too much background detail. I’m sure there were things I missed that could have added to the overall world-building, but you do not need to read the entire series to pick this one up.
If you like a “cozy” mystery that’s a little kitschy, give this one a go. Felt similar to the Janet Evanovich or Joanne Fluke series in themes and complexity of writing, but with the schtick of a narrating dog.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fun, light hearted book that happened to have murder and kidnapping in the plot, but that is because the protagonists are detectives. the Little Detective Agency consists of Chet, a dog, and his sidekick Bernie Little.
Bernie and Chet are hired to find internet sensation Miss Kitty, a cat. During the investigation two people are found dead, and they are related to the kidnapping of Miss Kitty. It takes a while for Chet to get on the scent, but in the end, the good guys win, and Miss Kitty ends up back on her purple and gold pillow in front of the camera with Bitty, her human costar.
I have to admit, it took me a while to get into the story. It is told from the perspective of the dog, When his discourse moved the story forward, it was fine, but there was a lot of dog ramblings interjected, too much so for me. The only way I got through the book was by skipping the Chet ramblings. Cute, but not my thing. This is installment 16 of a series and I have not read the previous books, and I do not think I will go back and read the others.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book to read and review.
Bernie and Chet are hired to find internet sensation Miss Kitty, a cat. During the investigation two people are found dead, and they are related to the kidnapping of Miss Kitty. It takes a while for Chet to get on the scent, but in the end, the good guys win, and Miss Kitty ends up back on her purple and gold pillow in front of the camera with Bitty, her human costar.
I have to admit, it took me a while to get into the story. It is told from the perspective of the dog, When his discourse moved the story forward, it was fine, but there was a lot of dog ramblings interjected, too much so for me. The only way I got through the book was by skipping the Chet ramblings. Cute, but not my thing. This is installment 16 of a series and I have not read the previous books, and I do not think I will go back and read the others.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book to read and review.
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